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Town 'N Country Tour of Gardens to sport a natural look

By Jackie Ripley, Times Staff Writer
In print: Friday, April 18, 2008

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ADVERTISEMENT [KATHLEEN FLYNN | Times] Tommy Mawn sits in front of a staghorn fern at his parents’ Dana Shores home, which will be featured in Sunday’s tour.

TOWN 'N COUNTRY — If you're taking the Tour of Gardens in Town 'N Country this year, don't expect a lot of overly manicured lawns.

"We keep it simple but very tropical,'' said Dana Shores home­owner Tina Mawn. "We haven't had a freeze in many years, so we have things growing here that I used to have to cut to the ground.''

The Mawn residence is one of several featured in the Town 'N Country Garden Circle's fifth annual Tour of Gardens on Sunday.

"We like to have a new neighborhood every year,'' said Fran Gamester, president of the Town 'N Country Garden Circle.

This year's tour features gardens in Dana Shores, some of which are on the water.

Holly Felty's garden is one of those on this year's tour.

"I love being out there unfettered for a time,'' said Felty, who not only has created a tropical paradise for her family but also one that's dog-worthy. "I like a little organization, but I also like a lot of wild and unruly things.''

Felty's garden features a variety of palms, different types of plumbago, white lantana and snow on the mountain.

But her favorite plant is the frangipani, which is about to blossom. "They bloom for five or six months and are magnificent,'' Felty said.

Will it cooperate in time for Sunday's tour?

"If my dog doesn't eat it,'' Felty said. "They're nontoxic, and he's very fond of frangipani.''

Jackie Ripley can be reached at ripley@sptimes.com or (813) 269-5308.